1996 Trophy Bayliner - Inspection?

[SouthSeaPirate]

Hey again errbody,
Im looking at another boat, a 96 Bayliner Trophy 20' with a Merc 150 Offshore O/B.
Yes, the other boat fell through.
Ive looked at it while on the water and of course rode in it. So I still need to see out of water and have better inspection today (weather permitting). It looked really good and rode really good. I only saw some short hairline fiberglass cracks at two locations. Basically where a screw goes into the glass for a cleat and another I cant remember right off hand. Otherwise a really good bath. Im assuming it will need bottom paint, but IDK. What do I need to look out for and how to check for specific things on this particular boat? Basically known issues.

Heres the post

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[mike_i]

get a moisture meter and scan the hull mostly the transom area area.

 

[cptbill]

By the late 90's Bayliner was building a pretty good boat, not a lot of bells and whistles like the other divisions but still not bad. It's still a 25year old boat so I'll always say get a survey

 

[SouthSeaPirate]

By the late 90's Bayliner was building a pretty good boat, not a lot of bells and whistles like the other divisions but still not bad. It's still a 25year old boat so I'll always say get a survey

Survey? If you mean take it to a Marina, then no chance. They are only open when Im at work, itll be sold no later then tomorrow, and boat is at least 45 minutes from a marina anyway. Exactly why I am asking you guys for what I can check. Really just dont have a choice honestly, unfortunately. Is 96 considered 'late 90's'

 

[mr 88]

get a moisture meter and scan the hull mostly the transom area area.

Moisture meters are only as good as the "operator " . Unless your boat is out of the water for a couple months you will get false readings and if the bottom is painted add a few more months to it sitting on land .A plastic tip hammer would be better .
A surveyor should have no affiliation with any marina and will travel to your boat. Sounds like your up against it as far as time goes and will it be sold from underneath you unless you act immediately. All you can do is tap around , even if its the handle of a screwdriver and listen for a poing type sound . Sound should be the same wherever you tap. You rode in it and it's sitting in the water , all you can do besides the above is trust your instincts , look at through hull ftgs for ant corrosion , bad bedding . You really haven't given "us " anytime or enough info to say yea or nay. Does the boat look like it's been maintained ? Motors almost always look clean in a boat so that may be misleading . Bilge , oily , clean ? How much are they asking and what comes with it , trailer ? toys . safety package ? Salt water " Fresh Water ?

 

[SouthSeaPirate]

Moisture meters are only as good as the "operator " . Unless your boat is out of the water for a couple months you will get false readings and if the bottom is painted add a few more months to it sitting on land .A plastic tip hammer would be better .
A surveyor should have no affiliation with any marina and will travel to your boat. Sounds like your up against it as far as time goes and will it be sold from underneath you unless you act immediately. All you can do is tap around , even if its the handle of a screwdriver and listen for a poing type sound . Sound should be the same wherever you tap. You rode in it and it's sitting in the water , all you can do besides the above is trust your instincts , look at through hull ftgs for ant corrosion , bad bedding . You really haven't given "us " anytime or enough info to say yea or nay. Does the boat look like it's been maintained ? Motors almost always look clean in a boat so that may be misleading . Bilge , oily , clean ? How much are they asking and what comes with it , trailer ? toys . safety package ? Salt water " Fresh Water ?

Fresh water. I havent checked bilge area. Engine ran great but I was on water so I hadnt taken the hood off. No corrosion that I could find anywhere. From what I was told, it was bought in Pennsylvania from an old man who kept it in storage most of its life. Then this guy had it for a year oh so in elements it seems. Plenty of pollen on it but thats it. Def wasnt doctored up before I seen it.
Comes with trailer, all safety gear, extra prop, bimini, etc.
What do you mean by bad bedding?

 

[hugh g]

Fresh water. I havent checked bilge area. Engine ran great but I was on water so I hadnt taken the hood off. No corrosion that I could find anywhere. From what I was told, it was bought in Pennsylvania from an old man who kept it in storage most of its life. Then this guy had it for a year oh so in elements it seems. Plenty of pollen on it but thats it. Def wasnt doctored up before I seen it.
Comes with trailer, all safety gear, extra prop, bimini, etc.
What do you mean by bad bedding?

You should have looked in the bilge for any sign of water intrusion which could indicate a leaking bellows or transom leak. Any chance of getting another test run? Has the boat been under cover or left out in the elements?

 

[mr 88]

" Bad bedding " or the caulk around the through hull fittings. All decking solid , under gunwales ( flat surface that your rod holders are inserted into ) solid , you can stand on the lower unit of motor and bounce a bit to see if there is any flex in your transom . Passed the water test , throw the dice ,make a offer and enjoy the rest of the season on the water
Good luck !

 

[mr 88]

You should have looked in the bilge for any sign of water intrusion which could indicate a leaking bellows or transom leak. Any chance of getting another test run? Has the boat been under cover or left out in the elements?

OP stated it was a outboard. Not sure if it's the same year as boat. That could make a difference if mounting holes are different and they were not caulked correctly. Could be 100 % perfect or not.

 

[hugh g]

OP stated it was a outboard. Not sure if it's the same year as boat. That could make a difference if mounting holes are different and they were not caulked correctly. Could be 100 % perfect or not.

You're right, I missed that!

 

[SouthSeaPirate]

Sorry all, I know I had half assed first inspection; issue was that the weather was AWFUL. Rain, lighting, barely could see out the glass or the dirty bimini lol. So I got to check it out in between the calm lol.

As for another test run, not likely. Boat is quite a far away from water atm, timing was lucky yesterday. I only just messaged him then and he said he happened to be taking it on the water.

TBF they did take it far side of Lake Okeechobee and back. Over 4 hours on it.

I did step on every inch of the deck and didnt feel any soft spots, but that is untrained me, so that may mean jack.

Engine tag says 1996 150XL

Are you guys able to see the FB marketplace link?

 

[mr 88]

No link . There is a 1995 with a 2002 150 on it in Rochester NY for 7,000. That boat looks like there shouldn't be a soft deck or even below deck wood issues, unless screw ,bolt holes are compromised. Your dollar your call.

 

[SouthSeaPirate]

No link . There is a 1995 with a 2002 150 on it in Rochester NY for 7,000. That boat looks like there shouldn't be a soft deck or even below deck wood issues, unless screw ,bolt holes are compromised. Your dollar your call.

facebook. com/marketplace/item/343088023973954/ Remove space at .com

 

[JASinIL2006]

Impossible to tell much from pictures. You can tap around the hall as much as you want, and it won’t tell you a thing, unless you are very highly skilled. Even then, probably not. if you cannot get someone experienced to look at it, then you are just going to have to take a roll of the dice and either buy it or not.

 

[hugh g]

When it comes to a boat a pic is not worth a thousand words. The fact that you spent 4 hours on it with no issues is a plus. But like someone said, it's a roll of the dice without a thorough inspection.

 

[mike_i]

What do you mean the meter is only as good as the operator? I'm referring to an RF meter not the probe type. You hold it against the hull and look at the meter and listen for it to make a sound. I do agree with you about the bottom paint.

Moisture meters are only as good as the "operator " . Unless your boat is out of the water for a couple months you will get false readings and if the bottom is painted add a few more months to it sitting on land .A plastic tip hammer would be better .